The Irish standard., 1887-09-10
MGR. DANIEL C0MB0NI
Bishop of Claudiopolis in Partibus, First
Vicar Apostolic Of Central
Africa. and the

Africa. and the
GREAT APOSTLE or THE BLACKS
His Undying Devotion to the Cause Of
Catholic Missionary Work in
Central Africa.
For all English readers the country
round the Nile has strong national
and for many also deep PERSONAL inter-
est; yet, apart from all such feelings,
the Soudan, Nigritia, Or, as it was then
called in Ecclesiastic language, the
Vicariate Apostolic Of Central Africa,
possesses an interest that extends over
the whole Catholic world. Nigritia is
a comparatively new mission field, an
arena in which missionary struggles
haye been attended with unususl loss
OF life, a theatre in which the chief role
has been played by d general ecclesias-
tic, who has only recently passed from
our midst. OF this eminent prelate,
Mgr. Daniel Comboni, Bishop of Clau-
diopolis in partious, first Vicar Apos-
tolic of Central Africa, and the great
Apostle Of the Blacks, we now give a
brief biographical sketch, complied
chiefly from the missioner's own men,
oirs.
Daniel Comboni was born March is,
1881, at Limone, in the North Italian
diocese of Brescia. Educated at the
Mazza Institute OF Verona. he early
conceived desire to dedicate his life to
the perilous mission of Japan. Ia 1849,
however, Father Ange Vinco, a mis-
sioner from Central Africa, pa1d visit
to the seminary at Verona. His graphic
description Of the religious misery of
Nigritia turned young Comboni' s mind
to Africa, and heuceforth his motto was
s'Nigritia or death. " ''In the month OF
January, 1885," writes Mgr. Coznboni,
whilst student Of philosophy and a
youth Of II years Of age: knelt at the
feet of my venerated Superior, Father
Mazza, and vowed to consecrate my
whole life to the apostolate of Central
Africa.
IT abandoned the project with which,
three years before, the perusal of st.
Alphonso Liguori's history of the jap
anese martyrs had inspired me. I no
longer thought of the different missions
of Japan. Henceforth I occupied my
self only with my preparation for Afri-
ca.
"In 1857 (Mgr. Comboni was ordained
priest III 1854 Fathet Beltrame, several
other priests and myself. were sent by
Father Mazza to Khartoum and the
stations of the White Nile. During
these journeys passed through many
severe trials and was frequently at
tackled by murderous feyers thatrepeat-
edly brought NE to The brink of the
grave; but I was able to study the peo-
pie and the customs of the country.''
On his return to Europe, the plans
which Father Comboni had meanwhile
formed for the conversion Of Africa be-
gan to take definite shape and form.
For the next three years the Jealous
missioner traversed Spain, France,
Italy, Germany, England, ETC., study
ing the various organizations for for
eign missionary work, and everywhere
seeking for counsel and support. Provi
dence assisted his efforts; in 1865 the
Society Of Cologne for the Redemption
OF Slaves examined and approved bis
protector in 1867 the Marquis Louis, Of
Canossa, Bishop of Verona. consented
to become President of his new work,
and that same year Mgr. ComboDi was
able to open at Verona one institution
for missioners, and another for the re-
ligious to whom, in 1872, be gave the
name Of the Pious Mother of Nigritla.
Having thus organized the work in
Europe, he next proceeded to establish
it in the mission field itself. His per-
sonal experience convinced him Of the
necessity of preparing his missioners
by process ofgradual accllmatisation.
Accordingly, when in 1867 he returned
to Egypt with twenty-four Europeans
and twelve negresses educated in Eu-
rope, he at once founded two establish
ments at Cairo as basis of operations
for the Soudan. When these residences
were in working order, the first caravan
started southwards in October, 1871,
and passing by Korosco, Berber and
Khartoum, settled in El-Obeid.
In December. 1872. a second party Of
twenty-five persons, including Mgr.
Componi, now Pro-vicar of Central At
rica, followed. On reaching Khartoum,
Mgr. Comboni opened a mission house
(later on the headquarters of General
Gordon, settled some nuns in another
house, and then passed on to Ell Obeid,
where, on his approach, the Pasha,
temporarily at least. closed the slave
market. Thence the caravan proceeded
to Delen, further south, and there also